THIS FREEDOM

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 948, 15 April 1930, Page 10

THIS FREEDOM

Rastus Escapes from the Zoo STILL A FUGITIVE Rastus, the monke3 r , is revelling in his new-found freedom today. He succeeded in a bold dash for liberty last evening, and is still a fugitive' His delighted caperings and scamperings would make his 59 reddish-brow’n-coated brothers turn green with envy if they could see him. For a long time Rastus endured the ignominy of being imprisoned with 59 of his kin in a pit at the Zoo. He

rebelled last night, —Avell, Rastus has always been inclined to uppish ness; it’s believed to be hereditary. Anyway he scaled out of his •prison by the route he had been watching for weeks. A series of telephone rings conveyed the news to

the Zoo officials of Rastus’s adventure. That night after work, grim-faced looking officials stealthily stalked Rastus with long poles with nets attached. Rastus was wary—and nimble as he leaped from gutterings, scampered up -spoutings, grinning down at his pursuers. Rastus upset a Morningside woman shortly after midday today. Visiting her wash-house, Rastus met her with a suspicious smile. He took no risks, so seizing an apple from the floor, Rastus leaped onto a shelf and sat munching happily. A frantic call to the Zoo brought ten officials armed with poles with nets attached post haste by car. But Rastus was not to be caught so easily. 'The good woman had forgotten to -hut the wash-house door. By the time was outside again, Rastus had scaled on to the house-top, and riumphantly gazed down on her from the chimney. Perhaps Rastus saw his warders coming, for he had moved on before they arrived. Latest bulletin—Rastus still at large.